The Hallam MP and Lib Dem leader was speaking at a public meeting in Sheffield Town Hall attended by around 200 people including migrant workers, people seeking sanctuary and their supporters.

Mr Clegg said the Lib Dems were calling for a change in the rules to allow people to work while they await a decision on their asylum claim.

He told the meeting he thought it was "a terrible moral stain on the conscience of a nation that we treat asylum seekers in the abysmal way we do".

He added: "If there is one thing that shames me beyond all else it's the bone-headed stupidity, lack of moral leadership and fibre that is now ingrained in the procedure that governs our asylum system that is uniquely unfair."

Currently most people are not allowed to work while awaiting an asylum decision and the policy was criticised recently by the Independent Asylum Commission.

Nick Clegg praised the work of ASSIST, the Sheffield group that supports people living in destitution whose asylum claims have been turned down and who are unable to return home.

He also welcomed local cross-party support for the City of Sanctuary movement in Sheffield which aims to ensure a welcoming attitude to asylum seekers.

The meeting was organised by ASSIST, the City of Sanctuary and South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group.

Among those who spoke to Mr Clegg was failed asylum seeker Claude N'Deh, who is at risk of being sent back to Cameroon where he says his life would be in danger and his young children - who have sickle cell anaemia - would face health problems.

The Lib Dem leader signed a petition calling for Mr N'Deh and his family to be allowed to remain in Britain.



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